Do I need to be a good walker?Yes. The walk covers almost 1 mile of city blocks and is recommended for people who like to walk and are in good physical shape. The walk is brisk (not a stroll) and moves quickly through the congested streets of Chinatown. You will encounter some hills and 3 flights of steep stairs at a Chinese temple that we visit! Tour is not recommended for slow walkers or for people that have difficulty keeping up with a group

How Long is the Tour?Tour is approximately 2.5 hours long - sometimes shorter, sometimes longer depending on the number of people on the tour and/or congestion on the sidewalks (32,000 people living in a 24 block area and 2000 tourists visiting every week!)

What about Parking?There are several downtown lots available in the financial district but remember parking is expensive! - using public transportation is always recommended.Click Here> for Parking Lot information. The best parking lot would probably be the Sutter/Stockton Garage - just one block from our starting location.How should I dress?I suggest that you dress very casually (and warmly). Dress in layers, and wear comfortable shoes (remember, you will be doing a lot of walking and standing) - The entire tour is outdoors and San Francisco's weather can change within 30 minutes!

Also a good idea not to bring shopping bags or to be weighted down with heavy backpacks because of the length of the tour

Should I be prepared to take notes?Probably not necessary. Everyone will get a handout at the end of the walk that will highlight the information we will be discussing

Any other suggestions to get more from the experience? Yes. Be sure to turn cell phones off at the beginning of the tour. I try to keep this a “cell-phone” free tour for the enjoyment of everyone in the groupAre your tours appropriate for children?The tour is not recommended for anyone under 14. Exceptions can be made of course but pricing is the same for everyone attending the tour. I try to keep the tour fun and accessible but the content of the tour is relatively sophisticated and adult orientated. We do a lot of standing and some of the material is “lecture-orientated” - Young people under 14 usually get bored very quickly. Remember, the emphasis of the tour is exploring complex historical themes.

Please note: Request that young children do not accompany adults (they will just get bored and you’ll be distracted for the long stretches of time we discuss the history of the sites)Strollers are also prohibitive because of stairs and congested walk-waysWill there be restrooms available on the walk?Very important to understand: No restrooms will be available during the walk

How do I make a reservation?Click on the tab labeled "reservations" at the beginning of this page (right side box) and complete the request form. Let me know what date and time works best for you and I will get back to you with my availability.

My question is not answered here...Contact me at rick@chinatownwalk.com and I'll respond to your question within 24 hours